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US Airline Passengers May Benefit from New ATG Mobile Broadband Service

May 21, 2013
Business Aviation News
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mobile broadband

Airline travellers in US airspace may soon be able to enjoy multi-gig broadband connectivity if the proposed provision of a new ATG service goes ahead.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suggest, following a petition filed two years ago by Qualcomm Inc, that a new air-to-ground, two-way mobile broadband service should be introduced in the 14-14.5 GHz Ku-band, which would ensure that it would not interfere with, and also be protected from other users operating essential earth-space communications.

Of course, there is a long way to go yet, with hoops to jump through in terms of regulatory and licensing conditions, not to mention the bidding war that will ensue, once these terms are agreed, for the issue of the contracts to run the services.

If the proposals go ahead, the service will be initially limited to US airspace, but airlines from other countries will be able to offer the two-way mobile broadband service to their passengers whilst in US airspace.

The benefits of the new service will be wide for airline passengers, offering faster connectivity and maybe even a reduction in the cost of broadband services.  It seems that business aviation will be the greatest beneficiary of the new band, as this industry is the fastest growing sector, with private and corporate jets requiring speeds of connectivity for utmost efficiency in the air as on the ground in their land-based offices.

Time will tell as the industry awaits the decision makers – watch this space!

GX Aviation Broadband Equipment Launched by Inmarsat

April 12, 2013
Business Aviation News
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ARINC Cabin ConnectA new Ka-Band delivered high-speed broadband service was on display for the first time for visitors to the Hamburg Aircraft Interiors Expo last week.  GX Aviation, launched by Inmarsat, will be supported by new avionics developed by Honeywell and will be commercially available in early 2015.

Jack Jacobs, Vice President of Marketing Product and Management, Honeywell Aerospace said: “The consumer demand for fast, global in-flight connectivity continues to grow at a monumental rate. People want to be connected no matter where they are and have the same Internet experience that they have at home.”

The world-leading satellite communications company, Inmarsat, plans to change the face of in-flight connectivity with GX Aviation, designed to provide throughputs of up to 50Mbps with uninterrupted global broadband coverage, offering like-for-like, ground-based comparative connectivity.

“The world is changing and airlines are seeking to keep up with passengers’ expectations. Our new GX service, which can be combined with our existing L-band solution, enables airlines to capitalise on already installed hardware to provide high speed broadband service with complete geographical coverage for all aircraft requirements, both in the cockpit and the cabin,” says Inmarsat’s Miranda Mills, Vice President of Aerospace.

As Market for In-flight Wifi Grows, the Debate Continues

April 10, 2013
Business Aviation News
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The in-flight wifi debate continued last week as service providers all have a different approach to bandwidth.

Bill Sullivan, Director for Strategy and Business Development at ViaSat, commented, “People value speed, whether at home or in mobile environment. We have built a system around a very high speed experience. So we are taking that and bringing it into the airline sector.”

However, not everyone agrees that speed is the answer, especially when in-flight wifi provision is so expensive.  Row 44’s John Guidon argues,

“Just talking about speed is not satisfactory. It doesn’t explain the totality of the experience,” adding, “Really people are most interested in, in my opinion, page load time.”

There is no doubt that connectivity for in-flight wifi is in demand.  It is not a question of whether aircraft need it; it is now an account of which service to choose.  Ka-band wifi will provide speeds of at least 12Mbps per passenger, with even faster speeds being achieved with Ku-band or satellite in-flight wifi operations.

Most airlines recognise passengers’ growing demands for in-flight wifi and with the buzz created by the different broadband connectivity providers, the market is exploding.

New Business Aviation Broadband Solution to be Launched by Inmarsat and Kymeta

March 10, 2013
Business Aviation News
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A agreement has been signed by Inmasat and Kymeta to develop a new satellite antenna that will enable business jets to use high speed broadband connectivity worldwide using Inmasat’s Global Xpress (GX) service

Only GX users will be able to use the propriety Kymeta Aero Antenna enabling the two company’s opportunities in the fast expanding business aviation market.

Managing Director of Inmarsat Global Xpress, Leo Mondale said, “Over the coming 10 years, some 10,000 new business jets are forecast to enter service. In this changing world, where enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of the business executive is paramount, the need to offer constant connectivity is non-negotiable. It is this absolute requirement to keep executives connected, wherever they are, that is driving demand for solutions which support smaller aircraft. Our partnership with satellite technology specialist, Kymeta, will make business jet travel an even smarter and more efficient option for executives”

CEO of Kymet, Vern Fotheringham added, “Our technology for flat-panel, beam-forming antennas will enable a number of new markets and a new generation of customers to benefit from lower cost, high-speed satellite internet connectivity anywhere in the world. We are excited to reach this milestone and engage with Inmarsat to bring next-generation broadband services into the global business aviation market.”

Inmarsat is a long standing player in the industry providing passenger communications solutions for both commercial airlines and business jets.

Relaxation for In-Flight Wi-Fi rules from FCC

January 21, 2013
Business Aviation News
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The Federal Communications Commission is moving to ease restrictions on Internet use in commercial airlines as the agency attempts to enhance competition in the mobile telecommunications market and help speed the deployment of Internet services onboard aircraft. Airlines will be able to test systems that meet FCC standards, establish that they do not interfere with aircraft systems and receive FAA approval.

Rather than having to license on-board systems that provide in-flight wifi on an ad hoc basis, airlines will be able to test systems that meet FCC standards, establish that they do not interfere with aircraft systems and get FAA approval. An FCC statement explained “By reducing administrative burdens on both applicants and the Commission, the new rules should allow the Commission to process ESAA applications up to 50 percent faster, enhancing competition in an important sector of the mobile telecommunications market in the United States and promoting the widespread availability of Internet access to aircraft passengers.

While the FCC is working to speed up deployment of aircraft Wi-Fi systems in airplanes, an airplane manufacturer is also testing on improvements on wireless signals in airplane cabins, making it possible for passengers to enjoy more reliable connectivity when using networked personal electronic devices in the air.

The satellite antenna will carry the signal to and from the aircraft, and mobile technologies such as Wi-Fi will provide communications within the aircraft’s hull. In addition to promoting the economic growth and job-creating impacts of inflight broadband, the action also continues the FCC’s efforts to update and streamline regulatory requirements across the agency.

ARINC Direct Exhibit at MEBA 2012

December 6, 2012
Business Aviation News Introduction
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The Al Maktoum International Airport is hosting the much acclaimed MEBA event, where ARINC Direct will be exhibiting this month.

ARINC Direct will be showcasing its ConnectOnboard Communications System at MEBA. This latest product in a host of flight support services for business aviation delivers complete ACARS messaging, utilizing an iPad application as the user interface, high quality voice using an iPhone or Android device, and managed email.

“This is fertile ground for ARINC and we are delighted to be expanding our portfolio of services and resources in readiness for the growth,” said James Hardie. ”Our ability to support the widest cross-section of customers with continually evolving products and innovations is an advantage that is the envy of our competitors.”

For more details on the passenger communications, flight support or flight deck communications services offered by ARINC Direct please visit the ARINC Direct Business Flight Planning site.

Gloucestershire airport boosts business with runway

October 23, 2012
Business Aviation News
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To attract more business aviation Gloucestershire airport has extended its runway, said the airport’s head of operations, Darren Lewington,”Although only 12m of additional tarmac has been laid, the removal of obstacles nearby and the creation of an overrun means the landing distances available for aircraft have increased by up to 150m,” he added “The extra runway distances make a huge difference to the operators of the larger aircraft that currently use the airport and will generate additional business for us,”

Mr Lewington also said, “Business aviation movements make up around 5% of the take-off and landings, but they generate 30% of our revenue.” A large volume of activity is from general aviation aircraft, with approximately 70,000 actions annually. “With the closure of Filton airport, near Bristol, at the end of the year, there is already additional demand from corporate aircraft flying to the southwest of England. We are ideally placed to serve high net worth individuals in this region, as well as the Birmingham and Oxford catchment,” he adds.

Business aviation remains significant for airports across the country but increasingly as costs rise for operators they are looking for new, cost effective ways of running their businesses. Flight operations can be a significant outlay, and whilst operators cannot compromise on safety there are now solutions to make improve efficiency of all aspects of operations. ARINC Direct for example offer complete solutions for business aviation including all aircraft communications, flight support and planning services and even ancillary services such as aircraft broadband. For further information please visit the ARINC Direct website.

SwiftBroadband uptake booms

October 4, 2012
Business Aviation News
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The uptake of SwiftBroadband (SBB) services among business aviation users continues at a cracking pace. Simultaneously, ARINC Direct has continued to design and implement new products and services to support this.

Cabin hotspot functionality eases the burden of managing the costs of SBB by enabling usernames and credit card billing. This is an attractive concept, too, with charter operators, and has also been taken up by corporate flight departments wanting to manage costs and budgets across departments using the business jet. Other management functions such as usage alerts have also been added.

If a customer has SBB and uses ARINC Direct’s iPad app they have a completely dynamic aviation information platform that surpasses traditional methods of obtaining flight data. At the half-year mark ARINC Direct’s customer base in EMEA and Asia Pacific had already achieved over 15% growth. The ARINC app is available on the Apple iTunes store.

ARINC Direct has been at the forefront using web enabled technologies since the business unit was founded in 2003, and the increasing availability of web access, suitable hardware and client-based application technology presents new opportunities for the way in which it interacts with its customers. Almost half of all ARINC Direct customers are now using the iPad app.

For more information on ARINC Direct SwiftBroadband service please click here.

ARINC’s ‘Cabin Connect’ implementation for Virgin

October 3, 2012
Business Aviation News
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Virgin and ARINC have succeeded in various in-flight initiatives and the latest being a SwiftBroadband-enabled program that provides passengers with live audio content. The Virgin Atlantic passengers will be able to enjoy Wi-Fi connectivity to the Internet and communications products, including seatback messaging, live news and retail portals, allowing constant data connection from early 2013. The system uses a hotspot portal with bandwidth offered by Inmarsat Swiftbroadband.

“We are especially delighted that Virgin Atlantic Airways, a long-term ARINC customer for more than 12 years, is the first company to confirm it will take Cabin Connect on trial. Virgin Atlantic Airways is an airline that is internationally recognized for its strong commitment to enhanced passenger communications and as such is a perfect fit to launch Cabin Connect,” said Lee Costin, director of satellite solutions and cabin services at ARINC.

Fort more information about the Cabin Connect Solution please visit www.cabinconnect.aero.

ARINC Incorporated, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, provides communications, engineering and integration solutions for commercial, defence and government customers worldwide.

ARINC Cabin Connect & Virgin

The Virgin VS Airbus A330 to be fitted with ARINC’s Cabin Connect

September 13, 2012
Business Aviation News
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The Virgin VS Airbus A330 to be the first Virgin aircraft to be fitted with ARINC’s Cabin Connect by March 2013.

ARNIC Swiftbroadband, an IP-based packet-switched service that has constant data connection is being launched with Virgin Atlantic. It benefits all passengers to access internet who can now use their own portable electronic devices via ARINC SwiftBroadband Wi-Fi Internet hotspots and providing oceanic satellite coverage. Cockpit and cabin needs, including flight plan, weather, and chart updates, as well as telephone, text messaging, e-mail, Internet and intranet access will be available.

For more information about ARINC Cabin Connect please visit their site.